Many of Taiwan’s landscapes are deeply inspiring. The country has East Asia’s tallest mountains, its most spectacular gorge, and stretches of dramatic coastline. The unspoiled eastern part of the island has long been a favorite of both domestic and international tourists. The counties of Hualien and Taitung account for more than a fifth of Taiwan’s…
Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Penghu is less than 50 km west of Taiwan’s main island, yet this stunning archipelago looks completely different. For a start, it’s quite flat, whereas much of Taiwan is ruggedly mountainous. The islands used to be almost treeless, but afforestation programs have changed this. And perhaps most impressively – and…
Veteran reporter Mike Chinoy’s new book offers a curated collection of interviews with and testimonials from American journalists on the difficulties faced in reporting from the People’s Republic of China. Mike Chinoy has observed China from both within and just outside its borders for over five decades. As CNN’s first Beijing bureau chief in the…
If you are a fan of sakura – the cherry blossoms that draw legions of adoring sightseers to parks and hillsides throughout Japan – plan your next visit to Taiwan to coincide with the Hakka Tung Blossom Festival. The festival, which takes place in April and May, celebrates the beauty and beneficence of Vernicia fordii,…
Though not technically legal, off-road driving and motorcycling are popular activities among certain outdoor enthusiasts in Taiwan, where rugged jungle and mountainous terrain still constitute a significant portion of the land. When it comes to taking his 1993 Jeep Wrangler off the beaten track in Taiwan’s remote wilderness, Dave Johnson is the first to admit…
“The industry of fun” – travel and tourism – is given its own annual issue of TOPICS. I look forward to the articles and images each July but am disappointed to see the sector largely neglected by Taiwan. Taiwan is no “tourism country,” we hear. The sector is not among the “Six Core Strategic Industries,”…
Though domestic tourism is doing well outside Taiwan’s major cities, a lack of clarity on border reopening has left businesses dependent on the international market in limbo. For the past two-and-a-half years, Taiwan’s travel industry has grappled with an uncomfortable truth: Its reliance on international visitors has become a liability amid broad public support for…
Three artists depict, through paintings, photographs, and exhibitions, the lives of miners and residents of the now popular tourist destination Jiufen. Jiufen, a winding hillside tourist destination on Taiwan’s northwestern coast, is frequently featured in travel magazines due to its distinctive architecture and breathtaking mountain and sea views. But beyond the postcards, past the tables…
Taiwan’s extensive and colorful history (and prehistory) are brought to the surface at several archeological sites around the island. Many of the findings are on display at a handful of museums around Taiwan. For those who study human history by digging up human remains and artifacts, Taiwan is both fertile ground and a frustrating place…
With an intriguing history and rich culture, Taipei’s Roosevelt Road hosts many more interesting attractions than first meet the eye. This story begins in a bookstore. The sky is overcast, but a soft glow from the overhead lights inside SMC Publishing (南天書局), a Taiwan-focused academic bookshop in Taipei’s university district of Gongguan, creates a comfortable…
